IWCG Guideline 1. Availability
Availability of information has been identified as a key aspect of information quality success within both prior literature and the case studies. Availability of information covers three key areas:
1.1. Alternative formats
Guideline
Provide alternative formats for users, e.g., download of information, links to apps and telephone contact as appropriate.
Description
This success criterion is concerned with the provision of information in alternative formats for the user. For example, during the think aloud studies, participants often wanted to access information in other ways, such as via phone, app, or download. Making the user aware of alternative information formats and how to find such materials would facilitate ease of use for many users.
Information quality attributes
Availability, information usability
Critical errors
Information is only presented in a single format with no opportunities for users to clarify questions.
Rating for ‘Alternative formats’
| Rating | Criteria |
| Rating 0 | No alternative formats or contact information, or a critical error |
| Rating 1 | Not applicable |
| Rating 2 | Some alternative formats though these may be challenging to find, with unclear signposting. |
| Rating 3 | Not applicable |
| Rating 4 | Alternative information sources signposted throughout the site in a consistent manner. |
1.2. Contextual navigation (stateless)
Guideline
Avoid non-stateless navigation.
Description
Ensuring that user navigation is stateless prevents assumptions being made by previous pages visited. Users rarely follow a single track through a website and are accustomed to design patterns that facilitate access to information through multiple means. By providing stateless content, users will not be stuck in loops, subsections or contextual areas that do not facilitate navigation to other areas.
Information quality attributes
Consistent representation, navigation
Critical errors
Navigation changes dependant on page states.
Rating for ‘Contextual navigation (stateless)’
| Rating | Criteria |
| Rating 0 | Navigation of entire system relies on consistent states |
| Rating 1 | Not applicable |
| Rating 2 | Some stateless navigation with clear links to break states |
| Rating 3 | Not applicable |
| Rating 4 | Navigation fully stateless |
1.3. Link disambiguation (styling)
Guideline
Ensure link styling is clear and consistent across the site.
Description
Whilst the WCAG 2.1 guidelines already contain success criterion 2.4.9 stating that link purpose must be identifiable from text alone (W3C, 2018a), it does not contain any guidance on the specific styling of links. CSS styling provides the opportunity to radically alter the appearance of links, changing their context to users. ARIA roles can be used to identify any element as a link, however they limit the browser functionality for users (Coyier, 2020) and thus their access to information.
Information quality attributes
Consistent representation, navigation
Critical errors
Link styles inconsistent across site without clear purpose.
Rating for ‘Link disambiguation (styling)’
| Rating | Criteria |
| Rating 0 | Links are styled inconsistently |
| Rating 1 | Not applicable |
| Rating 2 | Links are mostly styled consistently to annotate their purpose |
| Rating 3 | Not applicable |
| Rating 4 | All links follow a common design pattern with their purpose clearly identified |